Vivas Lend Lease meeting adjourned – well downsized.

Vivas Lend Lease the proposed developer of 590 Orrong Road Armadale was due to meet with Stonnington top brass and councillors last Thursday February 10. Vivas Lend Lease executive director Hugh Martin was due to fly down to try and breathe new life into his beleagured and rejected project. Alas it was not to be. Mayor of Stonnington Melina Sehr contacted Vivas Lend Lease and explained that it would not be appropriate for councillors to attend such a meeting. A watered down version of the meeting did occur, sans Hugh or councillors – another victory for the fight. Hoorah councillors of Stonnington.

This development means traffic gridlock, overflowing train stations and tram stops, no more on-street car parking, a blighted skyline and less privacy for current residents. It will also impinge on adjoining public land. It defies the lowrise local residential style.

This development will set a precedent for further development.

This is a rare opportunity for Stonnington to increase open space, develop a school or a stellar medium density residential development. We do not need another Docklands.

Already we know that Toorak Station is within developers' sites. How long before Hawksburn and Armadale are redeveloped?

Stonnington Council - after much campaigning - refused the permit but developer Lend Lease successfully overturned this decision at VCAT. This VCAT decision is in turn being appealed in the Supreme Court in April 2013.

Our opponent is smart, moneyed, experienced and well connected. We won't win this without your help.

Lend Lease has 'consulted' but never compromised. They entirely underestimated our ability to fight their plan.

Reading this is just the beginning - we need you to work with us to fight the towers.